Add Yards with the Split Grip Drill

If your arms collapse at the top of your swing, you’re stealing your ability to create power and hit the ball further. This common fault is most commonly seen with beginners, especially women and seniors. At the top of your backswing, when you reach the top, the club should be held out as far as possible from your shoulders – your left arms should be extended straight, and your right arm should be in an “L” position – as shown in the picture to the right. In this position if you can imagine a box resting on your arms – you can be sure you’re creating width.

Another great drill to create width is the split grip drill – as the video above describes, if you split your grip apart into a hockey-like grip – your forced to created width. Why is width so important? Consider your swing like a whip, the longer the whip – the faster the whip can snap. The golf swing works the same way. The further you get the club away from your body as you swing, the faster you will be able to swing it.

This is why you see professionals starting their swings with a wide takeaway and full extension throughout their swings. This is one major contributor to their “effortless power.

Once you get the hang of this drill – try to re-create this swing technique with you hands together; your swing will feel smoother, and more powerful almost immediately.